Chinese Culture: Year of China Events

A unique aspect of Chinese culture is the stacking of rocks. Originally a Buddhist practice, primarily found in Korea before recently being transferred to China, stacking rocks of various sizes and shapes was a special form of worship and asking for good fortune. Many Chinese who practice this ritual do so for the latter reason, seeking to please supernatural forces and receive good fortune for their displays. It is primarily a gesture of asking or wishing for good fortune to be bestowed on the family . Each stone in the stack represents a particular wish or a family member. Certain shapes are noted as having specific meaning. For example, the stack I made that was three rocks stacked on top of one another represents a form of Buddha; this is a particularly common form. In addition, rocks are seen as having a direct connection to nature. In contrast to the human spirit, which is seen as weakening in a material world, rocks are seen as providing a lasting connection to the natural world.Stacks of racks, varying in size from two to as many as ten plus in height, can be found outside homes; many are even painted white as a symbol of purity.

 In many ways they are seen as artwork, and this has led to the practice becoming increasingly used for tourism. This is a double-edged sword, however, as it both preserves and spreads the practice while simultaneously risking the practices meaning.

Tibetan prayer flags represent another unique aspect of Chinese culture. These prayer flags are inscribed with auspicious symbols, invocations, prayers, and mantras. They are placed outside of people's homes and places of worship where the wind can carry their prayers and bring happiness, long life, and prosperity to those who designed them. They are designed on five colors, each representing a particular element: yellow - earth, green - water, red - fire, white - air, and blue - space. Acting on a spiritual level, the emanating vibrations from the flags protect from harm and bring harmony to everything touched by the wind. Symbols on flags range from Buddhist sayings, mythological creatures like dragons, powerful animals like tigers, and even deity drawings.